Julie Sina, Pacific’s Vice President, will be leaving Pacific on March 2nd for a new life at University of California, Los Angeles. We asked her for a final interview to review her experiences and contributions here and see what lies ahead. The Pacifican would also like to thank Julie for her help in our cause: a voice we could always count on, and a woman we will greatly miss.
 Q: When did you come to Pacific?
A: July 2005. July first I think was my official first day.
Q: What is your most memorable moment at Pacific?
A: The Grace fire. That happened my first year here. For a whole lot of reasons, but the thing I always remember about that event is…it was probably about three or four in the morning and I was getting ready to leave campus. I remember seeing, on the corner of Grace, this group of about four or five students. And they were in their pajamas, and they were kind of wondering around the building. So I stopped my car and I said, “Hey, are you okay?” This young woman said to me, “I’m just really worried about my friends, and I want to be sure they are okay.” I said, “Would it make you feel better if you could just go in the building?” And they said, “Yeah.” So we walked through the building. I told them, “Don’t worry. Everyone is out; everyone is safe.”
I learned a lot about the campus through this experience too; you learn a lot about how a place works in crisis. That certainly was one. A lot of crazy things have happened, but that was a really defining one.
Q: What are you going to miss the most about Pacific?
A: That’s a difficult one. This has been such a different experience for me; I’m used to working at larger institutions. This is the first private school I have worked at, so I have learned so much. I found the students at Pacific to be such a joy to work with. One of the things I so loved about it was teaching – this is the first semester I haven’t taught. [Julie normally taught a variety of Mentor Seminars]. I just think that was an incredible experience.
Students know you are the Vice President, but in your first semester as a freshman, you know, what does that really mean? They know, “You’re my teacher.” I think one of the greatest complements I ever received was when a girl introduced me at a chapter dinner as “my teacher.” I don’t think there is a better position to hold. She really had no idea what I did even, she said: “She’s my teacher; she also works for the university…” Which was ok!
When you are teaching you really get your finger on the pulse of what is going on. When people ask me, “How do you know so much?” I say, “Teach a class! Stand in line at the Summit. Listen in on other people’s conversations, you learn a lot! It’s sort of that invaluable carpool skill.”
So, I’m really going to miss the students. Because it’s a smaller place, you can develop those relationships and really see growth. You know somebody from their freshman to their senior year. You can see how the experience impacts them.
Q: What are you going to miss the least?
A: That’s really a hard one. I think sometimes the smallness is a strength and a challenge. There are times things get a little more personal than they need to be because you know everybody so much! And that goes the same with administrators as well as students. I absolutely love the intimacy about Pacific, but there are some things about that that are challenging at times, and they have been for me – especially when you are in a real visible role.
Q: If you could say one last thing to the students, what would it be?
A: Own this place. You are never going to have another opportunity like that. Own it. Make it yours. The support system is incredible. You are never going to have another place with the infrastructure or support to really see something through for yourself. Own it; there’s not a reason that you can’t. Almost sometimes that’s a matter of context, but I also know enough people here that it can happen for anybody. Find your voice. That’s the hardest step.
Q: What goals have you accomplished?
A: I feel so good about Elizabeth Griego. I think we made some progress when I was in Student Life, but it’s so good to watch what she is doing in terms of the commitment to service.
In terms of my current work with the President, and one of the things I just feel very proud of, is the work I have done with Dr. DeRosa. He has given me incredible opportunity. While I say I am proud of it, it really is the work of others. But being able to contribute to that, I feel very, very good about that. And Dr. DeRosa… I’ve never worked with somebody who just really is the place. I mean, he just so believes this mission is so a part of his blood, and that’s what he always puts first. And that’s, in part, why I have no worries.
Q: What position are you taking at UCLA?
A: It’s interesting. I’m going to be working in the College of Letters and Sciences, which is the largest academic unit of the UCs. They have about 3500 students in the college. It’s a new position, and I’m going to be working for Pat O’Brian, the Executive Dean of the college. I’ll work directly with her; it’s about facilitating the implementation of her agenda. I’m really going in as an academic administrator. I’ll also be working on some enrollment issues which I think will be a great deal of fun, because in the college, I think almost all freshmen are admitted to the college.
This will be my first time living in an urban area; I’m absolutely terrified of driving in LA. I’m excited about the job; it’s the driving that has terrified. Patrick Giblin [in Pacific Media Relations] has been trying to convince me to get a motorcycle.
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